1. What’s your favorite funny story about yourself?
To the horror of the Discovery Channel crew hosting me in Costa Rica, I picked up a wild boa constrictor at reception (thinking it was a Disneyesque, living prop) and carried it everywhere, snuggled around my arm/neck, until I got to my room and asked about its owner. It’s funny because no one said anything until I asked where I should “take it back” and suddenly they were aghast. It was the sweetest snake.

2. Who is your favorite mentor and why?
I’ve had awesome karma when it comes to mentors. I’m enormously grateful for Richard Swaab and Mike Smith of AMV/BBDO, Simon Mainwaring of We First and John Grant of St. Luke’s/Co-Opportunity fame. They’re great examples of epic talent amplified by the power of kindness and generosity.

3. What’s the biggest misconception about a strategist?
The idea we can’t find our way to client meetings without an account person. ☺

4. Has the role of a strategist changed since you first got into the business?
No. Our job has always been to craft a compelling brand idea and a fascinating narrative to bring it to life – far beyond what people think of as advertising.
We have more channels and new technology to play with now, but the essence of a truly insightful strategy hasn’t changed. I think brilliant planning is more valuable than ever – and way more fun.

5. Where do you see the industry heading? Where should the industry be heading?
The “industry” isn’t collectively heading in any single direction. Overall, I see a marketplace primed to reward experimentation and evolution. I think that’s exciting. In the words of General Eric Shinseki, “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.”

6. Tom’s and Patagonia have built their brands and generated profit based on social change and sustainability. Are there any lesser-known brands that are walking the walk?
Sure lots of them. Lib Tech snowboards in the US and Innocent Drinks in the UK pop to mind first. Another big brand deserving some props for sustainability is Fed Ex. Fred Smith gets it; he has some of the cleanest intentions I’ve seen and has made sustainability a top priority. The brand is all the more admirable because they have been so modest and avoided “green-washing.”

7. If you could change one thing about the industry what would it be?
Overall, I’d like to see every aspect of the business held to more noble standards.

8. What inspires you to keep doing this?
Cupcakes…lots and lots of cupcakes.

9. What’s one piece of advice you whish someone would have told you when you were starting out?
Intention is everything.

I worked with Kim many moons ago at StrawberryFrog, and I'm not even a little bit surprised to see her star rising. She was and is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful, creative and fearless strategists in the business. How she manages to be so impactful philanthropically and so prolific professionally should be a case study.